A well-respected Bermudian horseman who worked his way up to the top of the United States thoroughbred ladder has died at his home in Tennessee.

Gary Pimentel was 66 when he passed away last month.

His family and friends will gather at St Mark’s Church in Bermuda on October 13 for a memorial service.

Mr Pimentel, who was born and raised in Bermuda, moved to the US in 1978 and went on to work for a string of well-known stables, including Sheikh Maktoum’s Gainsborough Farm.

His wife, Caron, told The Royal Gazette he was “extremely proud” of his Bermudian roots.

“Everyone in the US always called him ‘Bermuda’ and would remark on his accent,” she added.

“From a very young age he had a passion for horses, and he went on to fulfil all of his dreams when we travelled to the US.

“Although we lived away for many years we never forgot where our home was and always enjoyed coming back to see family and friends.

“Gary was always the life and soul of the party. He never knew a stranger and would always laugh a great deal.”

Mr Pimentel was born in Bermuda in 1948 and grew up in Devonshire.

He competed in show jumping and cross country events with the Hunt Club of Bermuda and in 1976 he teamed up with Olympic silver medallist Michel Vaillancourt in the first three-day grand prix to take place at Government House.

He also played football for the Bermuda Athletic Association until he was 22.

Mr and Mrs Pimentel moved to Kentucky in 1978 to allow him to pursue his dreams in the horse training world. The couple remained in the US for the next 23 years and became proud parents to two sons, McClain and Fred, and daughter Patricia.

During his time in the US Mr Pimentel was made a Kentucky Colonel for his years of volunteer soccer coaching and in 1971 he created the first rodeo for inner city children at Young’s Life Camp in Colorado Springs.

His long-time friend, Derek Morris, described Mr Pimentel as “the best storyteller I had ever met”.

“We pretty much grew up together from the age of five or six,” said Mr Morris.

“Gary was a good friend; he was kind, comical and had a great sense of humour. He never had a bad word to say about anyone.

“He was always the centre of attraction at any event because of his contagious laugh and personality.

“He achieved great things abroad but would always come back to Bermuda and see his friends and family.”

Randy Wells, who grew up with Mr Pimentel, described him as “a very true, kind friend”.

He added: “Gary was always doing things for someone else. Everyone loved him and respected him for what he had achieved in the US.

“He would always make time for his friends and was a very generous man.”